A spectacle that rugby league needed

Well that was worth waking up early for or staying up depending on your approach this morning.

England provided their best performance of the tournament to date under intense pressure at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.

Over 30,000 fans were in attendance at the packed out venue which looked excellent on television and like any thriller, there was a big twist at the end.

GOOD START: Jermaine McGillvary mobbed by team-mates including Josh Hodgson, who was taken off the field with an injury. (Image: Andrew Cornaga/SWpix.com/PhotosportNZ)

England built up a 12-0 at half-time thanks to tries from Jermaine McGillvary and Gareth Widdop. Widdop converted both and added a penalty goal in the second period, before John Bateman seemingly sealed the win late in the second half. Widdop converted again and left Tonga four scores behind with around 12 minutes left.

But somehow out of nowhere Tonga scored three quickfire converted tries from Tevita Pangai Jnr, Siliva Havili and Tuimoala Lolohea to cut the gap to two points with two minutes remaining. What ensued was a grandstand finish to remember.

The match was exactly what rugby league needed. A classic to go down in the memory of everyone who witnessed it and clear evidence of international rugby league’s value moving forward.

England’s McGillvary pulled off an interception that seemed to seal it with one minute left before he lost the ball straight away in the tackle.

Tonga were afforded one last chance but Andrew Fifita was ruled to have knocked on whilst attempting to cross for the winner from close range as time expired.

Controversial final call?

But the big question after the final whistle was about whether the call by the referee was correct?

Unusually, the decision wasn’t handed upstairs despite it being clear Fifita eventually ended up grounding the ball over the line. It was definitely worth a look and it’s safe to say many people out there believed it was a try.

LATE DRAMA: Social media reaction to Andrew Fifita's knock-on close to the England line in the final seconds.

Fifita barged through the line only for England back rower Elliott Whitehead to knock the ball out of his hands.

TOUGH TO TAKE: Tonga stars Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita at the end of the narrow 20-18 loss to England. (Image: Andrew Cornaga/SWpix.com/PhotosportNZ)

In my view it was a loose carry but the case for Whitehead knocking it out and Fifita being allowed to play on is there as well. A longer look would have been wise but England survived the scare.

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Immense England effort in defence for first 70

The comeback in the final minutes will dominate the headlines but it must be said that England provided an excellent display without the ball for the majority of the contest.

James Graham was essential to this as he popped up after almost every break of England’s line to be the man making a last-ditch attempt to prevent the Tongans. He was also outstanding with the ball alongside the likes of Widdop and McGillvary.

It's worth adding that Hull back rower Sika Manu was tremendous throughout in terms of effort and can be hugely proud of his displays during the World Cup.

Hull-born Hodgson out of the final?

Whilst the result was good news for England, they suffered a blow in the first half when Hull-born hooker Josh Hodgson was taken off with a knee injury.

It has now been revealed by coach Wayne Bennett that the Canberra Raiders star is unlikely to play in the World Cup final against Australia due to the problem. It represents a blow for England and Hodgson and you’ve got to feel for the 27-year-old.

Unrivalled atmosphere

We’ll end this piece on a good note, though, and the atmosphere at Mt Smart Stadium was something to behold.

Social media was packed this morning with mentions of the atmosphere at the ground and England prop Graham even explained post-match that he’d experienced ‘nothing like that’ before. That's some comment from the former St Helens man considering his experience.